Use of specific regulatory T-cells to induce immune tolerance

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally relates to the production of antigen-specific T regulatory cells (Tregs). Such cells can be used in therapy to minimize undesirable immune responses such as those observed in autoimmunity and hemophilia and other diseases as well as in the response to protein therapy for genetic diseases. Methods for producing antigen specific Tregs and conditions for preferential expansion of functionally stable, specific Tregs are also provided.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

This invention was made with government support under Grant No. HL061883awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The government hascertain rights in the invention.

FIELD

Described herein are antigen specific T regulatory cells (Tregs). Suchcells can be used in therapy to minimize undesirable immune responses,such as those observed in autoimmunity and hemophilia as well as inresponse to protein therapy for genetic diseases. Methods for producingantigen specific Tregs also are described.

BACKGROUND

T regulatory cells suppress immune responses of other cells. They comein several forms with the most well-understood being those that expressCD4, CD25, Foxp3, and Helios (CD4⁺CD25⁺ Tregs). These cells are involvedin shutting down immune responses after they have successfullyeliminated invading organisms, and in preventing autoimmunity. Methodsfor expanding non-specific regulatory T cells have been described in theliterature. However, because the T cells employed in those methods werenon-specific, the activity of such cells could be immunosuppressive forresponses to pathogenic infections and cancer, where an immune responsewould be desirable.

There currently exists a need for effective therapies to minimize oreliminate the undesirable immune response to self components that is theunderlying cause of autoimmune disorders, including type 1 diabetes,uveitis and multiple sclerosis, and the unfavorable response totreatment of genetic diseases like hemophilia and Pompe's withbiotherapeutics.

SUMMARY

In accordance with some embodiments, there is provided a method forproducing antigen specific T regulatory cells comprising transducing Tcells with an expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequenceencoding a T cell receptor that specifically recognizes the antigen, andexpanding the transduced T cells ex vivo. In some embodiments,transducing the T cells comprises transducing HLA matched restrictednatural T regulatory cells. In some embodiments, the transducingcomprises transducing cells with an amphotrophic packaging retrovirus.In some embodiments, the T cells are obtained from a donor's buffy coatprior to being transduced.

In accordance with any of these embodiments, the antigen is selectedfrom the group consisting of the C2 domain of human clotting factor VIIIand antigens associated with multiple sclerosis, such as myelin basicprotein or myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MBP, MOG), diabetes(e.g., GAD65), or uveitis (S-antigen). In some embodiments, the antigenis a human clotting factor, such as factor VIII in which case the T cellreceptor may have the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. In someembodiments, the antigen is involved in a subject's reaction tobiotherapeutics in genetic diseases like Pompe's and hemophilia.

In accordance with any of these embodiments, the cells may be subjectedto a stimulation step prior to transduction, and/or an expansion stepfollowing transduction.

Also provided is a method for expanding T regulatory cells and/or Teffector cells transduced with a T cell receptor-encoding sequence,comprising culturing the cells in IL-2 containing RPMI1640 media with10% fetal bovine serum. In some embodiments, the culturing is effectedfor up to 4 days.

Also provided is a method for expanding T regulatory cells transducedwith a T cell receptor-encoding sequence, comprising comprisingculturing the cells in the presence of the specific antigen recognizedby the T cell receptor and oligodeoxynucleotides, and optionally furtherin the presence of irradiated DR1 HLA-typed peripheral blood mononuclearcells and IL2. In some embodiments, the culturing is effected for about21 days.

Also provided are antigen specific T regulatory cells prepared by anymethod described herein.

Also provided are methods of reducing an immune response to an antigen,comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compositioncomprising an antigen specific T regulatory cell as described hereinthat is specific to the antigen. In some embodiments, the subject issuffering from hemophelia, multiple sclerosis, diabetes or uveitis. Insome embodiments, the subject is receiving biotherapeutics for a geneticdisease such as Pompe's or hemophilia.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Identification and retroviral expression of aFVIII-2191-2220-specific TCR in primary CD4 T cells

(A) Scheme of FVIII-2191-2220-specific TCR cloning from a hemophilia Asubject's T-cell clone. The cloning procedure is described in Materialsand Methods. Briefly, to amplify TCR cDNA from the clone, poly Coligonucleotide was linked onto the 3′ terminus of total cDNAs byterminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT). The variable region wasamplified using semi-nested PCR with a poly GI primer and two reverseprimers (pC1 and pC2) corresponding to two different 5′ upstream codingregions of the α and β chain constant regions. The figure discloses“TTTTTTTTTT” as SEQ ID NO: 8.

(B) Amplification of V regions of the 17195TCR using semi-nested PCR.Primary amplification and nested amplification were carried out with pC1and pC2 (FIG. 1A). PGI was commonly used as the forward primer for theprimary and nested PCR step. Bold arrows indicate the predicted sizes ofthe amplified Vα and Vβ PCR products.

(C) Retroviral expression construct of the FVIII-2191-2220-specific TCR.To build the FVIII-2191-2220-specific TCR, the variable regions (Vα andVβ) from the FVIII-2191-2220-specific T effector clone were combinedwith human constant regions (Cα and Cβ) extracted from the NCBIdatabase. To produce the individual α and β TCR chains from a singletranscript, a P2A cleavage peptide was inserted between the α and βchain sequences. Expression of the GFP reporter is controlled by IRES,which is located downstream of the TCR construct. The figure disclosesSEQ ID NOS 9 and 10, respectively, in order of appearance.

(D) Amino acid sequence of a FVIII C2-specific human T cell receptor(TCR17195).

FIG. 2. Flow chart depicting a protocol for producing FVIII C2-specifichuman regulatory T cells and effector T cells. To produce FVIIIC2-specific T effector cells, naïve human T cells(CD4⁺CD25⁻CD127⁺CD45RA⁺) were isolated by FACS sorting (FACSAria, BIC,USUHS) from healthy donor's buffy coat. The cells were pre-stimulatedwith plate-coated anti-CD3e antibody and plate-coated anti-CD28 antibodyfor 48 hrs. Then, the cells were transduced with amphotropicTCR-17195-IRES-GFP-containing retroviral culture supernatant inretronectin-coated plates (to express the TCR from a patient clonereactive to FVIII). The transduced cells were expanded in IL2-containingRPMI1640/10% FBS for 4 days. To confirm activation of T cells by FVIIIC2, the expanded effector T cells in which TCR17195 was expressed(Teff-17195) were cultured for 4 days with gamma-irradiated DR1-HLAtyped PBMCs (6000 rad by Co60) in the presence of pOVA (negativecontrol), pFVIII C2, or soluble anti-CD3e antibody. To produceTCR17195-expressing T regulatory cell (Treg-17195), human Tregs(CD4⁺CD25^(hi) CD127^(lo)) were isolated from healthy donor's buffycoat. Pre-stimulation, retroviral transduction, and expansion ofTreg-17195 was done as described for T effector cells. To confirmC2-specific Treg activation through TCR17195, expanded Treg-17195 cellswere co-cultured with gamma-irradiated DR1-HLA typed PBMCs (6000 rad byCo60) for 24 hrs in the presence of pOVA, pFVIII C2, or solubleanti-CD3e antibody.

FIG. 3. Activation of 17195 T effectors by FVIII-2191-2220

(A) Proliferation of 17195TCR-transduced CD4 T cells withFVIII-2191-2220. Pre-stimulated primary CD4 T cells were transduced with17195TCR or with a mock vector and maintained for 10 days in culturemedia supplemented with IL-2. For proliferation assays, cells werelabeled with cell proliferation dye (eFluor 450) and then re-activatedwith irradiated DR1-PBMCs plus peptide FVIII-2191-2220 (0.5 μg/ml), pOVA(0.5 μg/ml), or anti-CD3ε antibody (0.5 μg/ml) for 4 days. Cellproliferation was measured by flow cytometry using a standard dyedilution assay. Representative results are shown for CD4 cells from twodifferent donors that were transduced with 17195TCR.

(B) Staining of transduced, expanded GFP⁺ 17195 T effectors shown in (A)using PE-labeled DR1 tetramers loaded with FVIII-2191-2220.

(C) Proliferation of GFP⁻ and GFP⁺ T cell effectors stimulated with OVApeptide, FVIII-2191-2220 or anti-CD3ε antibody. Transduced T effectors(2×10⁶/well) were stimulated using irradiated DR1-APCs(Responder:Stimulator=1:5) as in (A). After culturing for 10 days, Thecells were harvested and, viable GFP⁻ and GFP⁺ CD4 cells were countedusing flow cytometry.

(D) Retroviral expression of 17195 TCR in CD4 T naïve and CD4 Tregcells. Naïve T cells were pre-stimulated in plate-bound anti-CD3antibody and anti-CD28 antibody for 48 hrs. Then, these cells weretransduced in virus-coated plate for 24 hrs. Expression of GFP andstaining with FVIII peptide/DR1 tetramer was performed by FACS analysisat 3 days after transduction of 17195TCR.

(E) Cell surface expression of 17195 TCR in transduced T cells (10day-cultured). Expression of retroviral 17195 TCR was measured by flowcytometry with anti-Vβ2 versus GFP.

(F) FVIII peptide-specific induction of Treg-specific surface markers intransduced Tregs. Two week-expanded mock and 17195 Tregs (transductionfollowed as in FIG. 2A and then expansion with irradiated DR1 PBMCs inthe presence of FVIII peptide) were re-activated for 48 hrs withirradiated APCs and FVIII peptide (0.5 g/ml) in the presence of IL-2(200 U/ml). Histograms show the relative expression of LAP, GARP, andGITR in GFP-positive transduced population.

FIG. 4. Data showing that TCR17195 activates transduced human Tregs inan FVIII C2-specific manner. To confirm C2-specific Treg activationthrough TCR17195, expanded Treg-17195 cells were co-cultured withgamma-irradiated DR1-HLA typed PBMCs (6000 rad by Co60) for 24 hrs inthe presence of pOVA, pFVIII C2, or soluble anti-CD3e antibody. Foxp3and GARP (glycoprotein A repetitions predominant, LRRC32) staining wasthen done on fixed, co-cultured cells. Foxp3 and GARP are transientlyinduced at the early stage (24-48 hrs) of activated Tregs. In GFPnegative population, the induction of Foxp3 and Helios was shown only inthe anti-CD3e Ab stimulation group and pC2-mediated stimulation did notgive any induction of Foxp3 and Helios (dot plots and histograms in leftbox). In GFP positive cells (expressing the TCR), stimulation by C2induces expression of Foxp3 and Helios in a portion of cells as well asstimulation by CD3e.

FIG. 5. Optimized ex vivo expansion of 17195TCR-Tregs withFVIII-2191-2220 plus oligodeoxynucleotides

(A) FVIII-2191-2220-specific enrichment of transduced Foxp3⁺Helios⁺Tregs via long-term expansion. After a 2^(nd) round of expansion(described in FIG. 10), the CD4 T cells were stained using DR1 tetramersloaded with FVIII-2191-2220 (top dot plots). Expression of Foxp3 andHelios in gated CD4⁺GFP⁺ population were also evaluated withintracellular staining (bottom contour plots).

(B) Comparison of FVIII-2191-2220-specificity and Fox3⁺Helios⁺phenotypes for short-term and long-term expanded 17195TCR-Tregs.First-round expanded (Exp) cells (1^(st) Exp) were harvested 8 daysafter viral transduction and second-round expanded cells (2^(nd) Exp)were harvested 16 days after transduction. Tetramer staining (todetermine FVIII-2191-2220 specificity) and intracellular FACS staining(to quantify Foxp3 and Helios expression) were performed as in FIG. 5A.Representative data from one of two experiments are shown.

(C) Plasticity of long-term expanded 17195TCR-Tregs and Treg phenotypestability induced by antigen. Second-round expanded 17195TCR-transducedTregs were rested for 3-days of culture without IL-2 and thenre-stimulated for 4 hrs with PMA and ionomycin in the presence ofGolgi-block reagent. Intracellular IFNγ (top contour plots and graph)and IL-2 (bottom contour plots and graph) production were measured byFACs analysis.

(D) DNA methylation of TSDR in long-term expanded 17195TCR Tregs withFVIII-2191-2220 plus ODN. To analyze DNA methylation in the TSDR,mock-transduced and 17195TCR-transduced Tregs were expanded withanti-CD3ε antibody or FVIII-2191-2220 in the presence of ODN, as in FIG.4A. TSDR is an unmethylated CpGs-enriched region within Foxp3 genome ofnatural Treg. Heat map analysis shows methylation status of specificnine out of total eleven CpGs. The histogram summarized the mean percentmethylation of the 9 TSDR CpGs in 17195TCR-transduced Tregs with FVIII2191-2220/ODN stimulation vs. anti-CD3ε antibody stimulation condition.

FIG. 6. Data illustrating C2-specific immunosuppression by Tregsexpressing TCR17195 in vitro. For the immunosuppression assay, naïve Teffector cells and Tregs were prepared as in FIGS. 2-4. T naïve cellswere expanded with C2 and irradiated antigen-presenting cells (APC)after viral transduction of TCR17195 for 14 days. The expanded Teffector-17195 population was used as responder cells. To monitor celldivision of GFP positive cells, responders were labeled with the CellProliferation Dye-eFluor450 (CPD450). Tregs cells were transduced withmock virus or TCR17195, then were expanded for 14 days with anti-CD3εantibody or pC2 peptide. In the co-culture, the ratio of Responders toStimulators was fixed at 1:1 and the amount of Tregs was varied asindicated. Cell mixtures were cultured with anti-CD3e antibody or pC2for 2 days (A) or 4 days (B) without IL-2 addition. A. C2-specificinhibition of division of the proliferation dye CPD450 labeled GFP⁺responders by Treg-17195. Left histograms show cell division of labeledresponder co-cultured with Treg-GFP or Treg-17195 in the presence ofanti-CD3e antibody and irradiated APCs. Co-culture in the presence ofpC2 is shown in right histograms. B. C2-specific immunosuppression byTreg-17195. To confirm and measure cell growth in mixed culture,[³H]-thymidine was added at 18 hrs before harvest, with similar results.

(C) Suppression of FVIII-specific cytokine secretion by 17195TCR-Tregs.Four week-expanded mock-transduced Tregs or 17195TCR-Tregs were mixedwith 17195TCR-T effectors (responders) at the indicated ratios withγ-irradiated DR1-PBMCs and rFVIII (0.2 μg/ml) and cultured for 36 hrswithout IL-2. Cytokines in culture media were measured using a humanTh1, Th2, Th17 CBA kit (BD Bioscience). The quality of themock-transduced and 17195TCR-transduced Tregs was evaluated by measuringtheir GFP expression (left panels) and the expression of Foxp3 andHelios in the GFP⁺ cells (right panels). Raw MFI data from the CBAassays were converted to cytokine concentrations according to standardcurves generated for each experiment. Data are presented as mean±SD.

FIG. 7. In vitro suppression of anti-FVIII antibody production byengineered FVIII-specific human Tregs

Pooled splenocytes from two immunized DR1/E16-FVIII-KO mice were used asT-responders. In a T25 flask, 1×10⁷ splenocytes were co-cultured with17195TCR-transduced or mock-transduced Tregs at different ratios in theabsence/presence of 1 μg/ml rFVIII. After 6 days in culture,FVIII-specific antibody secreting cells (ASC) were detected using anELISPOT assay as described in Methods.

(A) FVIII-specific ASC detected in splenocyte cultures that contained noTCR- or mock-transduced Tregs.

(B) FVIII-specific ASCs detected in splenocytes co-cultured with variousratios of 17195TCR-transduced or mock-transduced Tregs. Co-culture with17195TCR-Tregs profoundly inhibited anti-FVIII ASC formation, even withresponder to suppressor ratios as low as 1:0.0625 (1/16). The histogramsin (C) and (D) summarize the ELISPOT data in (A) and (B), respectively.Data are presented as mean±SEM. (E) The quality of the Tregs used inthese experiments was evaluated by measuring their GFP expression (leftpanels) and the expression of Foxp3 and Helios in the GFP⁺ cells (rightpanels).

FIG. 8. Identification and retroviral expression of a Ob2.F3-specificTCR in primary CD4 T cells. Retroviral expression construct of theOb2.F3-specific TCR.

FIG. 9. Expression of Ob.2F3 TCR in polyclonal human T cells. Specificproliferation vs. MBP peptide is shown in the third vertical column; TCRVβ expression is in the bottom row.

FIG. 10. A diagram of three ex vivo culture conditions for long-termexpansion of functionally stable specific Tregs.

Pre-stimulated Treg cells (CD4+CD25hiCD127lo) were transduced withretroviral 17195 TCR and then 1st round expanded for 8-10 days withthree different stimuli: anti-CD3e antibody, FVIII peptide, or FVIIIpeptide plus oligonucleotide (FVIII peptide/ODN) in the presence ofirradiated DR1 PBMCs and IL-2 (200 U/ml). For 2nd round expansionculture, the cells were rested in the media without IL-2 for 48-72 hrs.The stimulating and culturing condition for 2nd expansion was identicalwith 1st expansion. After 2nd expansion, the expanded cells were restedfor 48 hrs in the absence of IL-2 for further experiments. To monitorthe quality of each grouped 17195 Tregs, FVIII peptide/DR1 tetramerstaining and intracellular staining of Foxp3 and Helios were performedevery 5 days during the expansion culture.

FIG. 11. FVIII peptide-specific enrichment of transduced Foxp3+Helios+Tregs in short-term expansion culture (1st round expansion).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are methods of producing specific human T regulatorycells (Tregs), useful, for example, to reduce undesirable immuneresponses in conditions such as autoimmunity, including hemophilia, type1 diabetes, uveitis and multiple sclerosis, as well as in the responseto protein therapy for genetic diseases. As used herein the term“specific” Tregs designates Tregs that respond to a specific antigen andinhibit effector T cells that are reactive to a specific antigen.

Specific embodiments of the methods are illustrated as follows: T cellreceptors (TCR) from a patient with an autoimmune disease (such as, forexample, a hemophilia A patient) are cloned. TCRs can be clonedaccording to procedures known in the art, including those described inNature Medicine, 19(11) 1534-41 (2013) and Nature Medicine, 19(11)1542-46 (2013). Stimulated patient's polyclonal T cells are transducedwith the TCRs, thus rendering the expanded cells antigen specific. Whenthe polyclonal Tregs, isolated from peripheral blood, are stimulatedunder conditions that lead to non-specific Tregs, the cells can then betransduced to become antigen-specific Tregs, capable of specificallysuppressing the undesirable immune response to the antigen.

T cells previously have been rendered specific for cancer antigens(CAR's) to specifically destroy cancer cells (turn on immunity).However, the methods described herein produce specific Tregs to modulate(turn off) undesirable immune responses, e.g., to reduce an immuneresponse. The present inventors have now obtained definitive evidencethat specific Tregs can be produced using the methods described herein,and that the resulting Tregs are functionally active to inhibit effectorT cells that are reactive to a specific antigen (e.g., an FVIIIpeptide). By expressing a specific TCR directed to a specific antigen,(e.g., human clotting factor VIII, MBP, MOG, GAD65, S-Antigen, or othertarget), a patient's Tregs can be made specific and used forimmunotherapy of the associated disease.

In addition, the methods described herein provide for the first time aprotocol for preferential expansion of functionally stable, specificTregs using specific antigen and oligonucleotide components. The methodstherefore are useful for producing Tregsin a cellular therapy to treat,for example, hemophilia patients who are prone to making antibodiesagainst FVIII. Further, the methods can be applied to other diseasesassociated with undesirable immune responses, such as type I diabetes,multiple sclerosis, uveitis, and other conditions of autoimmunity, orundesireable immune response to protein therapy.

Thus, described herein are methods for developing antigen-specific Tregulatory cells (Tregs), which can be used to treat or minimizeunwanted immune responses, such as those that occur in autoimmunediseases and in protein therapy for genetic diseases. Conditions forpreferential expansion of functionally stable, specific Tregs usingspecific antigen and oligonucleotide components also are described.

In accordance with one aspect, there is provided a method for producingantigen specific T regulatory cells comprising transducing T cells withan expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a T cellreceptor that specifically recognizes the antigen, and expanding thetransduced T cells ex vivo. In some embodiments, the T cells areexpanded ex vivo to obtain a greater number of functional Tregs andwithout experiencing functional loss.

In some embodiments, the T cells are obtained from a donor's buffy coatby, for example, FACS sorting (FACSAria, BIC, USUHS) CD4+CD25-CD45RA+for T naïve cells and CD4+CD25^(hi)CD127^(lo) for Treg cells, prior tobeing transduced. In some embodiments a pre-stimulation step precedesthe transduction step. For example, cells may be pre-stimulated withplate-coated anti-CD3ε antibody and plate-coated anti-CD28 antibody for36 to 48 hours.

In accordance with any of the foregoing embodiments, transducing the Tcells may comprise transducing HLA DR1 restricted natural T regulatorycells and/or effector T cells. In some embodiments, the transducingcomprises transducing pre-stimulated cells with an amphotrophicpackaging retrovirus containing a sequencing encoding a T cell receptor.In specific embodiments, the T cell receptor is specific for clottingfactor FVIII. In further specific embodiments, the cells are transducedwith an amphotrophic TCR-17195 packaging retrovirus designatedTCR-17195-IRES-GFP (i.e., a retroviral construct comprising a sequenceencoding the TCR-17195 linked with green fluorescent protein (GFP)expression via intra ribosome entry site (IRES)).

In accordance with any of the foregoing embodiments, the transductionprotocol may involve transduction with retroviral culture supernatant inretronectin-coated plates.

In some embodiments, after transduction by viral particles, expressedTCR can be detected flow cytometry based on GFP expression.

In specific embodiments, expansion of transduced Treg or T effectorcells may be carried out in IL-2 containing RPMI1640 media with 10%fetal bovine serum (FBS) for up to 4 days.

In specific embodiments, the expansion step of specific Tregs isconducted in accordance with oligonucleotide technology as disclosed inKim et al., “Oligodeoxynucleotides stabilize Helios-expressing Foxp3+human T regulatory cells during in vitro expansion,” Blood 2012 Mar. 22;119(12):2810-8. doi: 10.1182/blood-2011-09-377895. Epub 2012 Jan. 31,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For example, a 25merDNA oligonucleotide of random composition may be added during theexpansion of Tregs in vitro to prolong stabilization of theFoxp3⁺Helios⁺ subpopulation and to yield a population particularlysuitable for use in cellular biotherapy. In the oligonucleotidetreatment protocol in the long term expansion of antigen-specific Tregs,expanded Tregs express almost the same level of Foxp3 and Helios asfreshly isolated Tregs. Moreover, oligonucleotide treatment maintainsdemethylation status of Treg-specific demethylation region (TSDR) in theexpanded Tregs.

In some embodiments the T cells are subjected to a stimulation stepprior to being transduced, and then subjected to an expansion step aftertransduction.

In some embodiments, the antigen for which the antigen-specific Tregulatory cells and/or T effector cells are specific is selected fromthe group consisting of the C2 domain of human clotting factor VIII(FVIII) or an antigen associated with multiple sclerosis, type Idiabetes, uveitis, or other diseases.

An exemplary sequence of a FVIII C2-specific human T cell receptor(TCR17195) is the 620 amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 below:

(SEQ ID NO: 1) RQVARVIVFLTLSTLSLAKTTQPISMDSYEGQEVNITCSHNNIATNDYITWYQQFPSQGPRFIIQGYKTKVTNEVASLFIPADRKSSTLSLPRVSLSDTAVYYCLVGDAPNSGNTPLVFGKGTRLSVIANIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSSRAKRGSGATNFSLLKQAGDVEENPGPMLLLLLLLGPGSGLGAVVSQHPSRVICKSGTSVKIECRSLDFQATTMFWYRQFPKKSLMLMATSNEGSKATYEQGVEKDKFLINHASLTLSTLTVTSAQPEDSSFYICSAHTRANYGYTFGSGTRLTVVEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLYAVLVSALVLMAMVKRK DF 

In another embodiment, the antigen for which the antigen-specific Tregulatory cells and/or T effector cells are specific is selected is anantigen associated with multiple sclerosis. An exemplary sequence of aOb.2F3-specific human T cell receptor is the amino acid sequence of SEQID NO:2 below:

ETLLGVSLVILWLQLARVNSQQGEEDPQALSIQEGENATMNCSYKTSINNLQWYRQNSGRGLVHLILIRSNEREKHSGRLRVTLDTSKKSSSLLITASRAADTASYFCATDTTSGTYKYIFGTGTRLKVLANIQNPDPAVYQLRDSKSSDKSVCLFTDFDSQTNVSQSKDSDVYITDKTVLDMRSMDFKSNSAVAWSNKSDFACANAFNNSIIPEDTFFPSPESSCDVKLVEKSFETDTNLNFQNLSVIGFRILLLKVAGFNLLMTLRLWSSRAKRGSGATNFSLLKQAGDVEENPGPMLLLLLLLGPGISLLLPGSLAGSGLGAVVSQHPSWVICKSGTSVKIECRSLDFQATTMFWYRQFPKQSLMLMATSNEGSKATYEQGVEKDKFLINHASLTLSTLTVTSAHPEDSSFYICSARDLTSGSLNEQFFGPGTRLTVLEDLNKVFPPEVAVFEPSEAEISHTQKATLVCLATGFFPDHVELSWWVNGKEVHSGVSTDPQPLKEQPALNDSRYCLSSRLRVSATFWQNPRNHFRCQVQFYGLSENDEWTQDRAKPVTQIVSAEAWGRADCGFTSVSYQQGVLSATILYEILLGKATLY AVLVSALVLMAMVKRKDF

Also described herein is a protocol for preferential expansion offunctionally stable, specific Tregs using specific antigen and,optionally, oligonucleotide components as described above. This protocolcomprises gamma-irradiated DR1-HLA typed PBMCs as antigen presentingcells (6000 rad by Co60) and recombinant IL2 as a growth factor in themedia.

Examples Identification of FVIII-Specific TCR

The cloning strategy for the FVIII-specific TCR from a hemophilia A Teffector clone is shown in FIG. 1A ¹. Briefly, cDNA from clone17A-19wk-5^(2,3) (abbreviated 17195TCR) was tagged with a poly-C tailusing a terminal transferase reaction. The V regions were then amplifiedusing a common poly-GI forward primer (pGI: 5′-CACCGGGIIGGGIIGGGII-3′(SEQ ID NO: 3)) and two different sets of human constant region-specificreverse primers (pC1 and pC2: pCa1, 5′-AGTCAGATTTGTTGCTCCAGGCC-3′ (SEQID NO: 4); pCb1, 5′-TTCACCCACCAGCTCAGCTCC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 5); pCa2,5′-ATACGCGTTCTCTCAGCTGGTACACGG-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 6); pCb2,5′-ATACGCGTAGATCTCTGCTTCTGATGGC-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 7)). After a second roundof PCR with these primers, amplified V regions (500-600 base pairs) werecloned into a TA cloning vector (Invitrogen) (FIG. 1B). Insertion of PCRproduct was confirmed by restriction enzyme digestion of plasmid DNA.Extracted individual sequences were nBlast-matched with referencedatabase sequences from the International ImMunoGeneTics (IMGT) andNCBI. Once the identified α and β chain V regions were identified, theTCR of clone 17195TCR was constructed utilizing the human TCR constantregion C region reference sequence. To incorporate the α and βsequences, the α and β chain regions were connected by a P2A peptidelinker⁴ to create a single construct (FIG. 1C), and cDNA for greenfluorescent protein (GFP) was inserted downstream of the TCR codingregion separated by an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). There-designed retroviral 17195TCR construct was synthesized by GenScriptUSA, Inc. (Piscataway, N.J.). Retrovirus was produced using aPhoenix-Ampho packaging system.

Isolation, Transduction, and Expansion of TCR-Transduced T Effectors andTregs

Buffy-coat fractions from healthy 20-70-year-old males were provided bythe Department of Transfusion Medicine at the National Institutes ofHealth (NIH) or purchased from the American Red Cross. All procedureswere approved by the USUHS Institutional Review Board, and all blooddonors provided written informed consent in accordance with theDeclaration of Helsinki. To obtain CD4 T-naïve and Treg cells,peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were isolated from buffy coatsby ficoll separation (Ficoll-Paque™ Plus, GE Healthcare). CD4 T cellswere enriched by positive selection with MACS (Miltenyi Biotech, Auburn,Calif.). Naïve CD4 T cells (CD4⁺CD25⁻CD127⁺CD45RA⁺) and Tregs(CD4⁺CD25^(hi)CD127^(lo) were then sorted on a FACSAria (BDBiosciences).

For transduction of 17195TCR, T-naïve cells or Tregs (2×10⁵/ml) werestimulated with plate-coated anti-CD3ε (5 μg/ml) and anti-CD28antibodies (2 μg/ml) for 48-72 hrs plus recombinant human IL-2 (200U/ml). Stimulated cells were transferred into 17195TCR viralparticle-coated, retronectin (10 μg/ml)-pretreated plates and incubatedfor 24 hrs. After transduction, the cells were expanded for 3-5 weekswith 6000r gamma-irradiated HLA-DRB1*01:01 (abbreviated hereafter asDR1) PBMCs and peptide FVIII-2191-2220 (0.2-0.5 μg/ml) plus IL-2 (200U/ml). Irradiated PBMCs (PBMC:T cells=2:1) and FVIII-2191-2220 (0.5μg/ml) were added to the culture every 2 weeks. Expanded17195TCR-effectors and 17195TCR-Tregs were rested in the media (RPMI1640supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), 1% human AB serum, 1×Glutamax, and antibiotics) for 48-72 hrs.

Intracellular Staining for Foxp3, Helios, and Cytokines

Rested cells were re-stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA; 50ng/ml) and Ionomycin (1 μg/ml) for 4 hours in the presence of Golgi Stop(0.75 μl/ml). Cells were then fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde solutionand permeabilized in BSA-containing 0.1% Triton X-100/PBS. Permeabilizedcells were stained for Foxp3-APC, Helios-PE, IL-2-PE and IFNγ-PECy7 (BDBioscience).

Cell Proliferation and Suppression Assays

For standard suppression assays, fresh isolated or expanded T effectorswere washed 2× in PBS and labeled with 10 μM eFluor-450 for 20 min.Labeled cells were washed in FBS-supplemented medium and 2-5×10⁴ cellsco-cultured with γ-irradiated DR1-PBMC as APCs in the presence ofspecific FVIII-2191-2220 or a non-specific peptide (OVA) for 4-5 days.Proliferation was measured by a flow cytometric dye-dilution assay.

An in vitro Treg suppression assay was also performed as previouslydescribed^(5,6). Briefly, 3-4 week-expanded 17195TCR-effectors (4×10⁴)and γ-irradiated DR1-PBMCs were mixed at a ratio of 1:2 in the absenceof IL-2. 17195TCR-Tregs were then added at various ratios and stimulatedwith soluble anti-CD3 antibody (0.5 μg/ml), FVIII-2191-2220 (0.5 μg/ml),or rFVIII (0.2 μg/ml) for 4-6 days and cell proliferation was assayed bydye dilution or by thymidine incorporation following incubation with[³H]-thymidine (1 μCi/well) during the final 16-18 hours of culture. Tomeasure suppression of cytokine production by Tregs, T effectors wereincubated with Tregs (mock or 17195TCR) for 24 hours in the presence ofFVIII-2191-2220 with irradiated DR1-PBMC and without IL-2. Thesupernatants were harvested and assayed for cytokine expression using aTh1, Th2 and Th17 human CBA kit (BD Bioscience).

DNA Methylation Analysis of Human Treg-Specific De-Methylation Regions(TSDR)

Three-week-expanded 17195TCR-Tregs were harvested, washed and genomicDNA extracted using a Wizard Genomic DNA Purification Kit (Promega).Epitect Bisulfite kits (Qiagen) were used to convert unmethylatedCytosines in the genomic DNAs to Uracils. A Promark Q24 instrument wasused to detect and quantify methylated TSDR CpGs in the TSDR, usinghuman TSDR-specific primers. Nine CpGs were determined to bemethylation-sensitive TSDR CpGs within the Foxp3 genome (−2376 to −2263from translation starting site).

ELISPOT Assay and In Vitro Suppression of Antibody Production byFVIII-Specific B Cells from HLA-Transgenic Hemophilia a Mice

To quantify the in vitro anti-FVIII suppression, “humanized” hemophiliaA mice were created by crossing E16-FVIII knockout (KO) mice⁷ withDR1-transgenic mice (Dr. Chella David, Mayo Clinic). These mice wereimmunized subcutaneously with 2 μg rFVIII in incomplete Freund'sadjuvant and boosted twice with 2 μg rFVIII in PBS intraperitoneally 3and 5 weeks later. Pooled splenocytes from two immunized mice havingestablished titers against FVIII were used as T-responders. Next, 1×10⁷HLA-DR1-FVIII-KO splenocytes were co-cultured with 17195TCR-Tregs ormock transduced Tregs at various ratios in T25 flasks for 6 days in RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 10% FBS, 2 mM L-glutamine, 50 μM2-mercaptoethanol, and 1 μg/ml rFVIII. The effect of these human Tregson FVIII-specific antibody secreting cell (ASC) formation was measuredusing an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay with rFVIII-coatedplates^(8,9). Cells were washed, added to ELISPOT wells in triplicateand cultured overnight. The captured anti-FVIII antibodies were detectedby HRP-conjugated anti-mouse IgG (H+L) (Invitrogen), and anti-FVIII ASCrevealed with AEC substrate (BD Biosciences). Plates were read on a CTLELISPOT plate reader (Cellular Technology Limited, Shaker Heights,Ohio).

Retroviral Expression of an Engineered FVIII-Specific TCR andFVIII-Mediated Proliferation of Polyclonal CD4 T Effectors

To prepare T effectors for retroviral transduction of 17195TCR, PBMCsfrom normal healthy donors were sorted to obtain a naïve CD4⁺ Tpopulation (CD4⁺CD25⁻CD127⁺CD45RA⁺); natural T-regulatory cells (nTreg,CD4⁺CD25^(hi)CD127^(low)) were also sorted and transduced as describedbelow, stimulated with plate-coated anti-CD3ε antibody and anti-CD28antibody, and transduced with retroviral particles encoding the17195TCR. Transduced cells were maintained and rested in the presence ofIL-2 for 8 days without additional stimuli. Twenty-four hours aftertransduction, initial transfection efficiency was determined bymeasuring the GFP expression. GFP⁺ cells comprised 6-25% of thevirus-treated CD4 cells, and this proportion did not change during themaintenance period (2-4 days) (Fig S1A and data not shown). Transductionyields were comparable for mock-transduced cells and 17195TCR-transducedT effectors. The transduced GFP⁺ CD4 cells were next stained with ananti-Vβ2 antibody (recognizing the 17195TCR). The GFP⁺ cells werepredominantly Vβ2+(67% of the GFP⁺ cells) whereas 10% of thenon-transduced (GFP⁻) cells were Vβ2+, indicating endogenous TCRexpression levels (FIG. 3E). The transduced cells showed GFP intensitythat was proportional to the 17195TCR expression level.

To validate the antigen specificity of the 17195TCR, the transduced Teffector cells were stained with DR1 tetramers loaded withFVIII-2191-2220. Despite the strong expression of this TCR on GFP⁺cells, only a small percentage of expanded naïve T cells (less than 5%of the transduced and 0.2% of the total CD4 population) showed atetramer⁺ phenotype (FIG. 3D), presumably due to pairing of the α and βchains with endogenous TCR chains. In spite of the low percentage oftetramer⁺17195 TCR-transduced cells, their tetramer⁺ staining intensitywas more than ten-fold higher and distinguishable from the non-specifictetramer staining (0.41% of the transduced and 0.01% of the total naïveCD4⁺ population) or of mock-transduced cells (no tetramer⁺ cells). Theseresults indicated that a subset of the primary CD4⁺ cells transducedwith the 17195TCR expressed a TCR that recognized FVIII-2191-2220presented on HLA-DR1.

The functional activity of these 17195TCR-transduced T effectors wastested directly as follows. Ten day-rested TCR-transduced CD4 cells werelabeled with a cell proliferation dye, and a proliferation assay wasperformed with DR1-PBMC presenting FVIII-2191-2220 or an OVA peptide(pOVA). When 17195TCR-effectors were cultured with FVIII-2191-2220,almost 100% of the GFP⁺ cells proliferated (FIG. 3A) and the proportionof GFP⁺ cells increased to 61-81%, more than the non-proliferatingcells. Expanded GFP⁺ 17195TCR T effectors bound specifically toDR1-tetramers loaded with FVIII-2191-2220:24% of 17195TCR T effectorswere tetramer⁺ (FIG. 3B). These specifically stimulated 17195TCR Teffector GFP⁺ cells expanded 50× more than those cultured with pOVA(FIG. 3C). Moreover, the increase in absolute cell count suggests thatan initial stimulation with FVIII-2191-2220 efficiently enriched thespecifically transduced T effector population.

Production of Antigen Specific Treg Cells and Induction of Treg-SpecificFactors by Antigenic Stimulation

To produce TCR17195 expressing T regulatory cell (Treg-17195), humanTregs (CD4⁺CD25^(hi)CD127^(lo)) were isolated from healthy donor's buffycoat. Pre-stimulation, retroviral transduction, and expansion ofTreg-17195 was done as described above for effector T cells and as shownin FIG. 2. To address C2-specific Treg activation through TCR17195,expanded Treg-17195 cells were co-cultured with gamma-irradiated DR1-HLAtyped PBMCs (6000 rad by Co60) for 24 hrs in the presence of pOVA,pFVIII C2, or soluble anti-CD3e antibody. Foxp3 and GARP (glycoprotein Arepetitions predominant, LRRC32) staining was then done on fixed,co-cultured cells. Foxp3 and GARP are transiently induced at the earlystage (24-48 hrs) of activated Tregs. In GFP negative population, theinduction of Foxp3 and Helios was shown only in the anti-CD3e Abstimulation group and pC2-mediated stimulation did not give anyinduction of Foxp3 and Helios (FIG. 4 dot plots and histograms in leftbox). In GFP positive cells (expressing the TCR), stimulation by C2induced expression of Foxp3 and Helios in a portion of cells as well asstimulation by CD3e. See FIG. 4. The data clearly show C2-mediated TCRstimulation triggers activation of transduced Treg cells (dot plots andhistograms in right box of FIG. 4).

Functional Stability of Transduced Tregs after Long-Term Ex VivoExpansion Using Specific FT/III-2191-2220 and ODN

The function of expanded human Tregs in vitro can be stabilized usingrandom oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN)¹⁰⁻¹³. Thus, we hypothesized thatlong-term expansion in the presence of FVIII-2191-2220 and ODN wouldoptimize the enrichment of antigen-specific, transduced Treg expressinghigh levels of Foxp3 and Helios. Transduced Tregs were cultured withanti-CD3ε antibody, FVIII-2191-2220, or FVIII-2191-2220 and ODN(FVIII-2191-2220/ODN), in the presence of DR1-PBMCs plus recombinantIL-2 (FIG. 10). After one round of expansion (8 days), the rate ofcellular division slowed. The cell numbers and GFP fluorescenceintensity after this expansion step were comparable in all groups (datanot shown). Foxp3 and Helios in the GFP⁺ cells were well maintained atlevels similar to those of freshly isolated Tregs (FIG. 11).

After a second round of expansion, GFP⁺ cells were dramatically enrichedonly in the FVIII-2191-2220 and FVIII-2191-2220/ODN culture conditions(72% and 74%), compared to anti-CD3ε stimulation (top dot plots in FIG.5A). Moreover, the percentage of tetramer⁺ cells in the GFP⁺ cellpopulation was increased in both FVIII-2191-2220 and FVIII-2191-2220/ODNconditions. Foxp3 and Helios expression after FVIII-2191-2220stimulation showed a significantly different phenotype than of anti-CDR.Specifically expanded GFP⁺ cells maintained Foxp3 and Helios expression,but cells cultured with anti-CD3ε did not (bottom dot plots in FIG. 5A).The data in FIG. 5B suggest that the FVIII-2191-2220 signal given to17195TCR Treg during expansion contributed to the enrichment of theseFVIII-specific Tregs.

Analysis of the cytokine expression profile (FIG. 5C) showed that cellsundergoing two rounds of expansion with FVIII-2191-2220/ODN had thelowest percentage of IFNγ (20%) versus anti-CD3 conditioned cells (80%)and FVIII-2191-2220 cells (40%) (top dot plots and graph in FIG. 5C).The FVIII-2191-2220 stimulated groups had few IL-2⁺ cells (bottom dotplots and graph in FIG. 5C). These results demonstrate that theFVIII-2191-2220/ODN co-treatment protocol stabilizes Foxp3 and Heliosexpression and prevents the conversion of Tregs to IFNγ-secreting Teffectors.

The status of Treg-specific demethylated region (TSDR) in ex vivoexpanded Foxp3⁺Helios⁺ human and murine nTregs is an important markerfor stabilization of Tregs¹³⁻¹⁷. GFP⁺ cells were FACS-sorted fromexpanded 17195TCR Tregs and the methylation status of their TSDR CpGsanalyzed (FIG. 5D). FVIII-2191-2220/ODN-conditioned Tregs showedwell-preserved demethylation for each of the TSDR CpGs compared toanti-CD3ε conditioned GFP⁺ cells (FIG. 5D).

Evaluation of Suppressive Function

For the immunosuppression assay, naïve T effector cells and Tregs wereprepared as in FIGS. 2-4. T naïve cells were expanded with C2 andirradiated antigen presenting cells (APC) after viral transduction ofTCR17195 for 14 days and the expanded T effector-17195 population wasused as responder cells. To monitor cell division of GFP positive cells,responders were labeled with the Cell Proliferation Dye-eFluor450(CPD450). Tregs cells were transduced with mock virus or TCR17195, thenwere expanded for 14 days with anti-CD3e antibody or pC2 peptide. In theco-culture, the ratio of Responders to Stimulators was fixed at 1:1 andthe amount of Tregs was varied as indicated in FIG. 6.

Cell mixtures were cultured with anti-CD3e antibody or pC2 for 2 days(FIG. 6 A) or 4 days (FIG. 6 B) without IL-2 addition. Treg-17195produced C2-specific inhibition of division of the proliferation dyeCPD450 labeled GFP⁺ responders (see FIG. 6 A). Treg-17195 producedC2-specific immunosuppression (see FIG. 6 B). To confirm and measurecell growth in mixed culture, [³H]-thymidine was added at 18 hrs beforeharvest, with similar results.

Since Tregs are known to inhibit the production of inflammatorycytokines¹⁸⁻²², we next determined the levels of IL-2, IFNγ, IL-4, andIL-17 produced by T effectors in the presence of Tregs after 24 h. At aratio of 1:8 (Tregs:T effectors), FVIII-specific Tregs significantlysuppressed dominant Th1 cytokine (IFNγ and TNF) production by Teffectors compared to mock Tregs (FIG. 6C). Interestingly,FVIII-specific IL-10 production was also reduced in a FVIII-specificTregs-dependent manner.

Effective Suppression of FVIII-Specific ASC Formation by 17195TCR TregsIn Vitro

To determine whether human FVIII-specific Tregs could suppress thehumoral anti-FVIII response as well, splenocytes from FVIII-primedHLA-DR1-FVIII-KO mice were co-cultured with rFVIII plus 17195TCR-Tregsor mock-transduced Tregs at different ratios (FIG. 7). Specific17195TCR-Tregs dramatically inhibited anti-FVIII ASC formation at allratios of Tregs: total splenocytes. Mock-transduced Tregs did notsuppress the anti-FVIII antibody response, but at high Tregs: totalsplenocytes ratios more ASC were detected, presumably due to cytokinesproduced from xenogeneic recognition. The almost complete suppression ofASC formation by 17195TCR-Tregs suggests involvement of bothFVIII-specific and non-specific xenogeneic responses (FIG. 7). Insummary, T cell receptor from a patient clone specific for human FVIIIwas expressed in expanded human T effector and natural T regulatorycells. These cells responded specifically to the FVIII peptiderecognized by the original T cell clone and increased in both the numberof tetramer binding cells and Treg markers. Tregs also specificallysuppressed responder effector cells recognizing FVIII. Moreover, studieswith an HLA-transgenic, FVIII-deficient mouse model demonstrated thatantibody production by FVIII-specific B cells in vitro were profoundlyinhibited in the presence of these FVIII-specific Tregs, thus validatingtheir translational potential utility to treat anti-FVIII inhibitoryantibody formation in hemophilia A patients.

The methods described herein therefore are useful for producing Tregsuseful in a cellular therapy to treat hemophilia patients who are proneto making antibodies against FVIII that inhibit its clotting function,as well as in patients with type I diabetes, uveitis, and multiplesclerosis. Further, the methods can be applied to other diseasesassociated with undesirable immune responses.

REFERENCES

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What is claimed is:
 1. An antigen specific T regulatory cell expressinga T cell receptor that specifically recognizes an antigen associatedwith hemophilia or multiple sclerosis, wherein, when the antigen isassociated with hemophilia the T cell receptor specifically recognizesthe C2 domain of human clotting factor VIII and has the sequence of SEQID NO: 1, and when the antigen is associated with multiple sclerosis theT cell receptor specifically recognizes myelin basic protein (MBP) andhas the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 2. 2. The antigen specific T regulatorycell of claim 1, wherein the antigen specific T regulatory cellexpresses a T cell receptor that specifically recognizes the C2 domainof human clotting factor VIII and has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 1. 3.The antigen specific T regulatory cell of claim 1, wherein the antigenspecific T regulatory cell expresses a T cell receptor that specificallyrecognizes myelin basic protein (MBP) and has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.
 4. A method for expanding an antigen specific T regulatory cellaccording to claim 1, the method comprising culturing the cell in IL-2containing RPMI1640 media with 10% fetal bovine serum for up to 4 days.5. A method for expanding a functionally stable antigen specific Tregulatory cell according to claim 1, the method comprising culturingthe cell in the presence of the specific antigen recognized by the Tcell receptor and further in the presence of oligodeoxynucleotides,irradiated DR1 HLA-typed peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and IL2. 6.The method of claim 5, wherein the cell is cultured for about 21 days.7. An antigen specific T regulatory cell transduced with an expressionvector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a T cell receptorhaving the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or SEQ ID NO:2.
 8. The antigenspecific T regulatory cell of claim 7, wherein the T regulatory cell istransduced with an expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequenceencoding a T cell receptor having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.
 9. Theantigen specific T regulatory cell of claim 7, wherein the T regulatorycell is transduced with an expression vector comprising a nucleotidesequence encoding a T cell receptor having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.10. A method of reducing an immune response to myelin basic protein(MBP), comprising administering to a subject in need thereof acomposition comprising an antigen specific T regulatory cell accordingto claim
 9. 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the subject is sufferingfrom multiple sclerosis.
 12. A method of reducing an immune response tohuman clotting factor VIII, comprising administering to a subject inneed thereof a composition comprising an antigen specific T regulatorycell according to claim 7, wherein the T regulatory cell is transducedwith an expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding a Tcell receptor having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1.
 13. The method ofclaim 12, wherein the subject is suffering from hemophilia.
 14. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the subject has received a biotherapeutictreatment for hemophilia.
 15. A method for producing an antigen specificT regulatory cell of claim 7, wherein the T regulatory cell is capableof specifically suppressing an immune response to an antigen associatedwith hemophilia or multiple sclerosis, comprising: transducing a Tregulatory cell with an expression vector comprising a nucleotidesequence encoding a T cell receptor that specifically recognizes anantigen associated with hemophilia or multiple sclerosis, wherein, whenthe antigen is associated with hemophilia the T cell receptorspecifically recognizes the C2 domain of human clotting factor VIII andhas the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and when the antigen is associatedwith multiple sclerosis the T cell receptor specifically recognizesmyelin basic protein (MBP) and has the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2; andexpanding the transduced T regulatory cells ex vivo.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the step of transducing a T regulatory cell comprisestransducing an HLA-restricted natural T regulatory cell.
 17. The methodof claim 15, wherein the step of transducing a T regulatory cellcomprises transducing a T regulatory cell with an amphotrophic packagingretrovirus.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the T regulatory cell isobtained from a donor's buffy coat prior to being transduced.
 19. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the T regulatory cell is subjected to astimulation step prior to being transduced.
 20. The method of claim 15,wherein the T cell receptor specifically recognizes the C2 domain ofhuman clotting factor VIII and has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:
 1. 21. Themethod of claim 15, wherein the T cell receptor specifically recognizesmyelin basic protein (MBP) and has the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2.